That Reminds Me...Seasick cadets visit the Isle of Man, minesweeping in the wars, grumpy old gits, and even a submarine in Milford

I'M delighted to have received more positive TRM comments this week, including this F/Book message from our old friend, Richard Barnes, it's about the Baptist memories recently featured.

"Great article Jeff…could you ask if anyone has any knowledge of an earlier Baptist chapel near Sandy Haven itself, not in Sandy Hill, as I know there's an old cemetery down there near the beach, and the remains of some old building. Could this be the earlier chapel?

Built 1903 at Govan. 183 tons. 109' long. Landed at Milford from Nov 1934 to July 1953. Skipper…Fred (Flagon) Jones.

Local owners. Crescent Trawling, The Docks, Milford, and N.J Chamberlin and W. James, The Docks, Milford.

She was requisitioned by the Admiralty and operated as a minesweeper during both world wars.

During the post war 1940s, there were difficult times faced by everyone, none moreso than those involved in the fishing industry, as this news cutting from a WWG of Dec 1948 illustrates.

"Twenty one out of Milford's fleet of 92 trawlers are now idle, six of the smaller class boats having tied up this week owing to the present uneconomic trading conditions. On the face of it this is a very gloomy Xmas picture, but beneath it all is a feeling of confidence in the industry.

“Owners of the eight trawlers tying up this week…Lord Cecil…Loyal Star…Cassiopella…Poseidon…Constant Star…Frankingham…Lavenham and Lord Anson…will be taking the opportunity during the present low in the industry, re repair and re-equip their vessels, and it is good to know that two of the ships which have tied up, the Ellesmere and Milford Prince have been crewing up, and will return to sea again within a day or two after a six week stoppage."

Here, from Stevo's collection, is a snap of the Ellesmere, which was broken up at Wards Yd, Castle Pill, in June 1951.

Last week's pic of the Army Cadets, which was kindly given to us by the Milford Museum, due to a slip of my shaky pencil, was described as "preparing for the Milford Haven Council." It should have read…"preparing for the Milford Haven Carnival!" This week I'm using a different pen…just in case!

Meanwhile, let's take another peek at the Story of the Pembs and Dyfed Army Cadet Force...by Lt Col Douglas Joyce ACF Retd.

"I move on now to 1971, and, when I told the cadets we were going to Jurby, on the Isle of Man…what a cheer went up! None of them had been there, and I don't think many of the adults had, either.

“We set off by train to Liverpool, and then on the boat to the Isle of Man.

“There were a few seasick, but I don't think they minded, as this was probably a first, as well! We landed at Douglas, and were bussed to the other side of the Island, to Jurby. This was a hutted camp, very open and near the cliff edge, but quite safe. The billets were Nissen huts, but quite adequate. At this camp the lads saw for the first time some of the Parachute Regiment jumping from a basket fixed under a balloon…more excitement.

“They all wanted a go, but of course, we could not allow this.

“Our day outing was to Douglas, to see the film Zulu, and then back to camp.

“During the two weeks we were there, the lads saw all over the Island.

“At this camp, one of the Milford boys fell and fractured his leg. It fell my lot to deal with, so I took him to hospital, where he was ‘mothered’ until we came home.

“That was my first, and, thank goodness, my last, serious accident in the ACF that I had to deal with.

“1972 and 73 we spent at Altcar, and in 1973 we shared the camp with Carmarthenshire Cadets, so we had plenty of competition on the games fields.

“This was also to be our last year as Pembrokeshire. Next year we were being joined by Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, so now we were having a taste of what it was going to be like. Could the Cadets mix?

“It was at this Camp in 73, Staff Sgt Gordon Steward joined the Neyland detachment from the TAs. He had been trained by the TA as a cook, and was a great asset to our Regiment at weekend camps, and at our two week annual camp. He stayed with us for many years until his retirement."

Next instalment of Doug's memoirs will recall 1974, when they became the Dyfed Army Cadet Force.

Now for our teaser. The answer to last week's pills poser was…one hour.

A few ‘grumpy old gits’ wanted to know how the patient had managed to get a doctor's appointment in the first place…never mind a prescription!!

Those who were on the ball with one hour were…Joyce Layton, Royston Holman, Les Haynes, Margaret and Phil Jones. Anne and Jets Llewellyn, Ken Davies, Gerry Thomas, Charles Weatherall (and the clever grand-daughter), and Tricia Hawthorn.

No TRM next week, so next poser will be in a fortnight.

Continuing this week's maritime memories, here's another from my old Pill chum, Ivor Day's collection of ships that were broken up down Wards Yard.

This one is the HMS Tantalus…which arrived for demolition in Nov 1950.

She'd spent most of her time in the Far East, sinking several Japanese ships, and made the longest patrol of the war (55 days) by a British submarine.

I would've been six, and, seeing a sub on our doorstep, with my inflamed imagination, probably lost sleep thinking the war had re-started!

Right, that's it for now. If you have any TRM thoughts…please get in touch.

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